SRINAGAR, July 2: A complete shutdown was observed in Tral town of south Kashmir and its peripheries today against the killing of three local militants in an encounter with government forces on Monday. Three local militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir of Dadsura, Ajaz Ahmad Laway of Lurgam and Shabir Ahmad Bhat of Hayun were killed in a 12 hour long fierce gun battle at Midora village of the area.

During the encounter a police man Mushtaq Ahmad was also killed and two CRPF men including an officer were injured. Besides a residential house where the militants were holed up was also destroyed completely and minor damage was caused to few other neighboring houses. Forces had to face tough time as people from different villages of the area reached near the encounter site, staged protests and tried to break the cordon by resorting to stone-pelting on forces.

A complete shutdown was observed in Tral and other adjoining areas today to mourn the death of the three local militants. All the shops, other business establishments, private and government offices, educational institutions and and petrol pumps remained closed in the area. Both passenger and the private traffic also remained off the roads in the town.

Meanwhile, all the three slain were laid to rest in their native villages amid sobs and slogans. Thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of the three slain militants.

"On the insistence of people, funeral prayers of the three were offered at three different timings with one hour gap in between. Due to the different timing for funeral people got a chance to participate in the Jinaza of all of them.

Reports said people from different villages of the area since early morning started rushing towards Dadsara on foot as well as in trucks to take part in the funeral of Shahnawaz Ahmad. From there they moved to Lurgam and Hayun to offer Nimaz-e-Jinaza of other two slain militants.

"It was a sea of people in the funeral prayers of the trio," said a reporter from the area.

In his telephonic address, reports said, Geelani paid rich tributes to the slain and urged the people to carry forward their mission. "They have sacrificed their lives for a noble cause of Azadi. You have to be the guardians of their sacrifices and not let their blood go waste. The biggest tribute top these martyrs will be to stay away from the polls in coming assembly elections," Geelani told the people.

SRINAGAR, July 2: A complete shutdown was observed in Tral town of south Kashmir and its peripheries today against the killing of three local militants in an encounter with government forces on Monday. Three local militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir of Dadsura, Ajaz Ahmad Laway of Lurgam and Shabir Ahmad Bhat of Hayun were killed in a 12 hour long fierce gun battle at Midora village of the area.
During the encounter a police man Mushtaq Ahmad was also killed and two CRP